Two-way foldable chair

ABSTRACT

Two-way foldable outdoor chair selectively foldable from set-up position to a first flatly folded position or to a second bundled position may be prevented from being folded to the second position while at all times remaining foldable to the first position and may include an adjustable reclining position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/160,886, filed Mar. 17, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to chairs, and more particularlyrelates to improvements in chairs that are foldable and unfoldablebetween a set-up condition for use and a substantially collapsedcondition for transportation and/or storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beach and lawn chairs adapted to be folded for transportation and/orstorage typically have a frame fabricated from elongated structuralmembers, preferably metal. The frames of such chairs have transverselyspaced apart left hand and right hand frame side assemblies that aresubstantially parallel to each other. In a set-up position, each sideframe assembly has a front leg member extending in a generallyvertically upward direction and a rear leg member pivotally connected atits upper end directly or indirectly to an upper end of the front legmember and which is rearwardly and downwardly inclined from the upperend of the front leg member. Such frames also include an upwardlyextending chair back support member which is or may be pivotallyconnected at its lower end to the rear leg member intermediate the endsof the rear leg member by an over-the-center linkage that positions theback support member so that it is supported at its lower end on the rearleg member and inclined upwardly and rearwardly therefrom when the chairis unfolded from its closed or flatly folded storage position to itsopen or set-up position for use.

Such conventional beach and lawn chairs of the prior art having the lefthand and right hand frame side assemblies such as hereinbefore generallydescribed also commonly have transversely extending rigid connectingmembers providing fixed connection between the front leg members, therear leg members, and often the back support members as well. Additionalrigidly fixed transverse connecting members may also extend between thestructural members that support the seat of such a chair. The aforesaidrigid or noncollapsible transversely extending connecting members aregenerally horizontally disposed when such a conventional prior art chairis in its set-up position. Thus, it should be immediately apparent thatconventional folding chairs of a prior art type as hereinbeforedescribed are foldable to only one storage and/or transport position,namely a flatly folded position.

Such prior art chairs provide the convenience of easy fold-up, and arelightweight so as to permit easy transportability. Common uses for suchchairs are at the beach or at a picnic where easy set-up and break-down,as well as the ability to carry the chair along with other things, isdesirable. However, even though such chairs are foldable for easytransport, they typically still cover a wide area and thus occupy aconsiderable space when folded, which makes packing or storing thechairs difficult, especially when they must be crammed into small aspace, such as the trunk of a car, with a number of other objects suchas a cooler, blankets and bags. That is, most prior art beach and lawnchairs are foldable only in one direction—typically front to back. Forexample, the back support and the seat support of the chair are foldedtowards each other so the frame, when folded, lies flat and has anessentially rectangular shape. When packing the folded chair into a car,the folded chair must be laid flat, thereby occupying a wide footprint.

Other chair designs have been developed that can be folded to acollapsed state occupying less storage space. For example, some chairdesigns can be folded in multiple directions, reducing the front/backand side-to-side dimensions between an unfolded set-up position and afolded storage position. However, these chair designs are typically notsuitable for certain outdoor uses, such as at the beach or at a picnic,where a reclinable back rest may be desired.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a chair when in a set-upcondition that can be collapsed in multiple directions in order toreduce the space occupied by the chair in a folded and completelycollapsed condition. Accordingly, it is a general object of the presentinvention to provide a chair design that overcomes problems anddrawbacks associated with folding chairs, and therefore significantlyimproves the versatility of such a chair while permitting easytransportation and/or storage in a completely collapsed condition.

Moreover, there is a need for a reclinable and collapsible chair thatcan be easily folded by a user with minimal effort. Hereafter,reclinable chairs have not been able to be folded to a completelycollapsed, bundled condition without much difficulty. Even where areclinable chair can be so bundled, the final bundle does not fold to asufficiently compressed size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a chair especially suitable for useas a beach chair, a lawn chair, and the like, where the chair, in aset-up condition, has a reclining back support adjustable to a number ofpositions, and where the chair can be folded from the set-up conditionto a completely collapsed condition. More particularly, in thecompletely collapsed condition, the chair is folded and collapsed inmultiple directions, so that the front/back and left/right dimensions ofthe chair are reduced between the set-up condition and the completelycollapsed condition.

Unlike the prior art hereinbefore described, chairs of the presentinvention do not include or rely on rigid or non-collapsible connectingmembers which are fixedly connected to and extend between opposite sideframe members to prevent movement of the side members either toward oraway from each other.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a foldable chairincludes left and right frame side members, forward and rear legmembers, and a seat support and a back support, directly or indirectlyinterconnected by a combination of pivotal, slidable and telescopicallymovable connections that enable maintenance of the chair frame in anopen or set-up condition wherein the left and right frame side members,the forward and rear leg members, and the seat support and back supportare maintained in an open position corresponding to the set-up conditionof the chair. The combination of pivotal, slidable and telescopicallymovable structural members enable the chair frame to be folded orcollapsed in multiple directions, including at least the transverse,side-to-side direction and the front-to-back direction, by moving thechair frame members toward each other and a centrally disposed verticalaxis from the open condition.

These and other features of the present invention are described withreference to the drawings of preferred embodiments of a chair. Theillustrated embodiments of features of the present invention areintended to illustrate, but not limit the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a two-way foldable chair embodyingthe invention and shown in set-up condition ready for use.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the chair.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the chair.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the chair frame shown in set-up positionand with the flexible seat and back material removed therefrom to revealthe entire frame structure.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG.3.

FIG. 7 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of a seat support link.

FIG. 8 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of an over-the-centerseat support link.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are somewhat further enlarged views of the right supportlink assembly as it appears in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the link assembly of FIG. 10shown a partially folded position of the chair.

FIG. 12 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the lefthand front foot assembly as it appears in FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the lefthand front leg pivot assembly as it appears in FIG. 5.

FIG. 14 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the lefthand back support coupling assembly.

FIG. 15 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the lefthand universal pivot and rear leg slide assembly.

FIG. 16 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of a clevis which formsa part of each rear universal pivotal coupling assembly.

FIG. 17 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary view of a rear latch barassembly shown in closed position.

FIG. 18 is a somewhat further enlarged fragmentary sectional view takenalong the line 18-18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary view of a rear latch bar assembly shown inpartially open position.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the chair frame and showing the framevertically compressed from its set-up position shown in FIG. 4 and withthe back support members generally overlying the seat support members.

FIG. 21 is a right side elevational view of the vertically compressedchair frame as it appears in claim 20.

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the flatly folded chair frame ofclaim 20.

FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the flatly folded chair frame of claim20.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the chair frame shown partiallyfolded to a transversely compressed condition.

FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the chair as shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of the chair of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a front elevational view of the chair in its fully foldedsecond position.

FIG. 28 is a rear elevational view of the fully folded chair of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a right side elevational view of the fully folded chair.

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the fully folded chair in its secondposition.

FIG. 31 is a front elevational view of another chair embodying thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings and in the description which follows the presentinvention is illustrated and described with reference to a two-wayfoldable reclining chair embodying the invention and indicated generallyat 10. The illustrated chair 10 essentially comprises a lawn orgarden-type outdoor chair having an articulated foldable frame,indicated generally by the reference numeral 12, and flexible seat andback material mounted on the frame and defining a chair seat 14 and achair back 16. In FIGS. 1 through 4, the chair 10 is shown in set-upposition wherein it is adapted to rest on a generally horizontallyoriented supporting surface for accommodating a seated or reclined chairoccupant (not shown). In accordance with the invention, when the chair10 is not in use it to may be moved into a selected one of two foldedpositions for transportation and/or storage, as will be hereinafterfurther discussed.

Considering now the chair frame 12 in further detail, as shown in FIG. 5in set-up position, the frame generally comprises a plurality of axialelongated structural members preferably fabricated from durable lightweight tubular metal. The members can be aluminum tubing of circular ornon-circular cross-section, such as extruded oval or elliptical tubing.

The frame 12 has a pair of side assemblies of substantially identicalconstruction, but of opposite hand, indicated generally at 18L and 18R,and disposed in laterally spaced apart and generally parallel relationto each other when and the chair 10 is in set-up position. Referring toa typical side assembly such as the side assembly 18R, for example, bestshown in FIG. 4, each side assembly has a plurality of rigid generallyrectilinear axially elongated side members which include a front legmember 20, a rear leg member 22, a seat support member 24, a backsupport member 26, and an arm rest 28.

The aforesaid side members are disposed within longitudinally extendinggenerally parallel vertical planes and connected each to another forpivotal movement relative to each other about transversely extendingparallel pivotal axes normal to the longitudinal axes of the members.More specifically, the front leg member 20 has a slight upward andrearward incline to the vertical when the chair 10 is in set-upposition. The front leg member 20 is pivotally connected at its upperend to the upper end of the rear leg member 22 by a hinge fitting 30,which maintains the front and rear leg members within a commonhorizontally extending vertically disposed axial plane P1 (FIG. 4) forpivotal movement relative to each other. The frontal portion of the rearleg member 22 has a slight downward and rearward incline to thehorizontal and forms a junction 31 with the remainder or rear portion ofthe rear leg member which has a somewhat greater downward and rearwardincline than the frontal portion of the rear leg member.

The lower end of the back support member 26 is pivotally connected inupwardly offset relation to the rear end portion of the seat supportmember 24 by a U-shaped upwardly open offset pivot fitting 32 mounted infixed position on and at the rear end of the seat support member and apivot pin 34 carried by the pivot fitting 32. The pivot pin 34 alsopivotally connects the seat support member 24 and the back supportmember 26 to an upper end of an over-the-center link 36 mounted inside-by-side relation to the pivot fitting 32. The lower end of the link36 straddles the rear portion of the rear leg member 22 near thejunction 31 and is pivotally connected to the rear leg member 22 byanother axially transverse pivot pin 38. Thus, the pivotally connectedseat support and back support members 24 and 26 are connected andsupported as an assembled unit on the rear leg member to pivot as a unitand on and relative to that leg member. It should also be noted that theseat support and back support members 24 and 26 are supported to pivotrelative to each other within a common plane P2 parallel to and inboardof the of the plane P1 (FIG. 3). Further considering the frame 12, theside assemblies 18L and 18R are transversely connected to each other forsimultaneous articulated movement the enable relatively rapid movementof the chair 10 between set-up and folded positions, as hereinafterfurther discussed.

Connection between the two side assemblies is provided by a plurality ofaxially elongated tubular connecting elements, which include a pair offront connecting elements 40 and 42 and a pair of rear connectingelements 44 and 46. The connecting elements are centrally pivotallyconnected to each other for pivotal movement relative to each other andattached to each one of the side assemblies by pivot and slideconnections as hereinafter further described.

Referring further to FIG. 4, the axially elongated front connectingelements 40 and 42 are each attached to both the right and left frontlegs 20, 20, which comprise part of the side assemblies 18L and 18R. Theupper end of each of the connecting elements 40 and 42 is pivotallyconnected to an associated front leg member 20 by a pivot fitting 48mounted in fixed position on the front leg member. Each fitting 48extends inwardly immediately below the front end portion of anassociated seat support member 26. The upper terminal end is secured byan associated pivot pin to pivot on an associated fitting 48. The lowerterminal end of each of the front connecting elements 40 and 42 issecured in a slot defined by front foot 50 mounted in a fixed positionon the lower end of an axially elongated slide connecting member 52.Each slide connecting member 52 is telescopically coaxially received inthe lower end of an associated tubular front leg member 20 to slidewithin and relative to that leg member, as best shown in FIGS. 24-26 andfor a purpose to be hereinafter evident. It should be noted that theconnecting element 40 is located in front of the connecting elements 42and for this reason the terminal end portions of the connecting element42 are forwardly offset so that the axes of all of the terminal ends andthe axes of the front leg members 20, 20 lie within a common plane. Thepivotal axes of all of the terminal ends are normal to the latter commonplane and parallel to each other.

The construction and arrangement of the rear connecting elements 44 and46 and the manner in which these rear elements are connected to the sideassemblies 18L and 18R will now be considered. Referring nowparticularly to FIG. 2 the rearmost connecting element 44 issubstantially rectilinear, whereas the element 46 mounted forward of ithas rearward offset terminal ends so that the terminal ends of bothelements 44 and 46 lie within a common plane. Like the front connectingelements 40 and 42, the two rear connecting elements 44 and 46 arecentrally connected for limited pivotal movement relative to each otherand present an X-shaped configuration when the chair 10 is in set-upposition and are disposed in side-by-side and near parallel relation toeach other when the chair is folded. The upper terminal ends of theconnecting elements 44 and 46 are respectively connected to theleft-hand and right-hand back support members 26, 26 for universalpivotal movement relative to those members. The aforesaid connectionsare provided by universal pivotal couplings indicated generally at 55,55 and secured in fixed position on the rear surfaces of the backsupport members 26, 26. Each coupling 55 has a boss 56 and includes anintegral saddle which rests on the rear surface of an associated member26 where it is secured in fixed position by blind rivets. The saddlecarries the rearward extending boss 56. A generally U-shapedtransversely inwardly open clevis 60 is pivotally mounted on a generallytransversely inwardly facing surface of the boss by a first pivot pin topivot about a transverse first axis. The upper terminal end of theconnecting element 46 is received in the U-shaped clevis 60 and securedtherein by a second pivot pin having a second axis normal to thetransverse first axis of the first pivot pin. Thus, the two axes of thecoupling 55 provide “universal” pivotal support for the upper terminalend of the connecting member 44. The upper terminal end of the otherconnecting element 46 is supported in like manner on the right-handedback support member 26. Thus, each universal coupling enables one partthat is being moved to transmit motion to another part connected to it,even though the two parts may not be in alignment with each other.

The lower terminal end of each of the connecting elements 44 and 46 isconstructed and arranged to both pivot relative to and slide along arespectively associated rear leg member 22. Each rear leg member 22 hasan associated slide fitting 62 mounted thereon and which includes aslide collar 64 received on the leg rearward of the rear leg memberjunction 31. The collar 64 coaxially surrounds and generally complementsthe non-circular or oval cross sectional configuration of the associaterear leg member 22 and carries an integral transversely inwardlyextending boss 66. A generally U-shaped inwardly open clevis 60 issupported on the inner and of the boss for pivotal movement in fixedposition on the boss 66. Thus, the lower terminal end of each of theconnecting elements 44 and 46 is connected to a slide fitting 62 on therear end portion of an associated rear leg member for sliding movementin one and an opposite direction on and along that leg member and forsubstantially universal pivotal movement relative to that rear legmember.

The lower terminal end of each of the front connecting elements 40 and42 is secured in a slot defined by a front foot 50 mounted in a fixedposition on the lower end of an axially elongated slide connector 52.Each slide connecting member 52 is telescopically coaxially received inthe lower end of an associated front leg member 20 to slide within andrelative to that leg member, as best shown in FIGS. 24-26 and for apurpose to be hereinafter evident. It should be noted that theconnecting element 40 is located immediately forward of the connectingelements 42. For this reason the terminal end portions of the connectingelement 42 are forwardly offset so that the axes of all of the terminalends and the axes of the front leg members 20, 20 lie within a commonplane. The pivotal axes of all of the terminal ends are normal to thelatter common plane and parallel to each other.

The construction and arrangement of the rear connecting elements 44 and46 and the manner in which these rear elements are connected to the sideassemblies 18L and 18R will now be considered. The rearmost connectingelement 44 is substantially rectilinear, whereas the element 46 mountedforward of it has rearward offset terminal ends so that the terminalends of both elements 44 and 46 lie within a common plane. The lattertwo elements are centrally connected for limited pivotal movementrelative to each other and present an X-shaped configuration when thechair is in a set-up position and move into a side-by-side near parallelrelation to each other when the chair is folded. The upper terminal endsof the rear connecting elements 44 and 46 are respectively coupled tothe left-hand and right-hand back support members 26, 26 for universalpivotal movement relative to those members. The aforesaid connectionsare provided by fixed universal couplings indicated generally at 55, 55mounted on the rear surfaces of the back support members 26, 26. Eachcoupling 55 has a boss 56 and includes an integral saddle which rests onthe rear surface of an associated member 26 where it is secured in fixedposition by fasteners or blind rivets. The saddle carries the rearwardextending boss 58. A generally U-shaped transversally inwardly openingclevis 60 is pivotally mounted on a generally transversally inwardlyfacing surface of the boss 58 by a first pivot pin to about a transversefirst axis. The upper terminal end of the connecting the element 46 isreceived in the U-shaped clevis 60 and secured therein by a second pivotpin having a second axis normal to the transverse first axis of thefirst pivot pin. Thus, the two axis of the coupling 55 provide“universal” pivotal support for the upper terminal end of the connectingmember 44. The upper terminal end of the other connecting element 46 issupported in like manner on the right-hand back support member 28.

The lower terminal end of each of the connecting elements 44 and 46 isconstructed and arranged to both pivot relative to and slide along arespectively associated rear leg member 22. Each rear leg member 22 hasan associated slide fitting 62 mounted thereon and which includes aslide collar 64 received on the leg rearward of the junction 31. Thecollar 64 coaxially surrounds and generally complements the associatedleg member 22 and carries a transversally inwardly extending boss 66.For example, in FIG. 2 the collar 64 complements the non-circular shapeor generally oval cross sectional configuration of the leg member. Agenerally U-shaped inwardly opening clevis 68 is supported on the innerand of the boss for transverse pivotal movement about an axiallytransverse pivot pin mounted in fixed position on the boss 66. Thus, thelower terminal end of each of the connecting elements 44 and 46 isconnected to a slide fitting 62 on the rear end portion of an associatedrear leg member for sliding movement in one and an opposite directionalong that leg member and for substantially universal pivotal movementrelative to that leg member. Though illustrated herein with the slidingcollar 64 on the rear leg member 22, the present invention can includeconnecting elements 44 and 46 where the upper part of the elements areadapted to slide on or relative to the back rest support members 28.

It should be noted that the over-the-center linkage concept employed tosupport the chair back is well known in the folding chair art and hasbeen utilized for many years in folding chairs to allow folding of achair back into overlying relation to a chair seat while providingreliable support and stability to a back rest when a chair is in set-upand usable condition. The present chair uses a modified form of thiswell known concept.

The flatly folded position hereinafter further discussed refers to theconventional position well known in the art wherein a foldable chair issubstantially vertically compressed from its normal set-up condition toa flattened condition wherein the chair legs are located immediatelybelow and in generally parallel relation to the chair seat while theback rest overlies the upper surface of the seat. This flatly foldedposition is hereinafter referred to as the first folded position.

The present chair is also adapted for movement from its set-up positionto and from a second folded position wherein the chair frame forms abundle with all of the elongated side members and all of the elongatedconnecting elements which comprise the frame having generally commondirections of extent and the seat material and back material formingpart of the bundle and having a flacid condition.

When the chair 10 is not in use it may be prepared for storage byfolding into one of its two folded positions. As previously noted, thefirst position is a conventional flatly folded position well known inthe folding chair art, wherein the two side frame assemblies 18R and 18Lare maintained in transversely spaced apart relation to each other bythe front and rear X frames formed by the connecting elements. Theterminal ends of the front connecting elements 40 and 42 are connectedonly to the front leg members 20, 20 therefore, the front connectingelements remain dormant during the flatly folding operation. However,the terminal ends of the rear connecting elements 44 and 46 areconnected to side members that pivot relative to each other during theflat folding operation, therefore, universal pivotal couplings and slideconnectors are provided to connect the rear connecting elements to theback support members and the rear leg members. Accordingly, the chair 10may be described as being vertically compressed from its set-up positionto its first or flatly folded position.

A latching device indicated generally at 70 and shown in FIGS. 17-19 isconnected between the rear connecting elements 44 and 46 and serves tomaintain the connecting elements in open position. This latching devicealso serves as a means for preventing movement of the chair to itssecond folded position. It should be noted that at all times the chairmay be folded and unfolded between its set-up position and its first orflatly folded position. Since the chair 10 is folded from its set-upposition it is convenient to describe the further folding operation as atransverse or lateral compression of the frame. Before performing thisoperation the latching device which may be provided to maintain theframe in its laterally open position must be placed in a releasedposition. Thereafter, the side frame assemblies are moved laterally andin a horizontal direction toward each other. At this point the variousconnecting elements move from their respective X-shaped configuration toa position of near parallel relation to each other which results inextension of the front slide connections 52, 52 which are telescopicallyreceived within the front legs 20, 20. As the front connecting elementsmove toward closed position, the front slide connectors move fromretracted position within the front legs to extended position whereinthese connectors extend for some distance from the front legs 20, 20.

It should now be apparent that folding the chair to its second foldedposition entails two separate and distinct folding operations, which maybe performed in any order. Thus, the chair 10 may be folded from itsset-up position to its flatly folded first folded position andthereafter be laterally compressed to its second folded position or, ifdesired, the frame may be first laterally compressed from its set-upposition to its laterally compressed condition and thereafter verticallycompressed to a flat condition. In either instance, the end result willbe the same—namely a compact bundle wherein the various axiallyelongated structural members and connecting elements will be disposed inrelatively closely spaced apart side-by-side relation to each other andhave a common general direction of axial extent.

When the chair is in its set-up position, the flexible seat and backmaterial will be in taut position on the frame. However, when the chairis folded to its second folded position, the seat and back material willbe in a flacid condition and form a part of the bundle.

A latching device indicated generally at 70 and shown in FIGS. 17-19 isconnected between the rear connecting elements 44 and 46 and serves tomaintain the connecting elements in open position. This latching devicealso serves as a means for preventing movement of the chair to itssecond folded position. It should be noted that at all times the chairmay be folded and unfolded between its set-up position and its first orflatly folded position. Since the chair 10 is folded from its set-upposition it is convenient to describe the further folding operation as atransverse or lateral compression of the frame. Before performing thisoperation the latching device which may be provided to maintain theframe in its laterally open position must be placed in a releasedposition. Thereafter, the side frame assemblies are moved laterally andin a horizontal direction toward each other. At this point the variousconnecting elements move from their respective X-shaped configuration toa position of near parallel relation to each other which results inextension of the front slide connections 52, 52 which are telescopicallyreceived within the front legs 20, 20. As the front connecting elementsmove toward closed position, the front slide connectors move fromretracted position within the front legs to extended position whereinthese connectors extend for some distance from the front legs 20, 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 32 and 33, another chair embodied in the presentinvention is indicated generally at 10 a.

1. Two-way foldable chair comprising: an articulated foldable frame; aflexible seat material mounted on said frame; and a flexible backmaterial mounted on said frame; said frame being adapted to rest on agenerally horizontally oriented supporting surface in a set-up positionwith said flexible seat material defining a generally taut chair seatand said flexible back material defining a generally taut chair back forcollectively accommodating a seated chair occupant; said frame having apair of side assemblies of opposite hand disposed in generally parallellongitudinally extending and transversely spaced apart relation to eachother in said set-up position, each of said side assemblies having aplurality of generally rectilinear axially elongated side members, saidside members of each of said assemblies being disposed within generallyparallel longitudinally extending vertical planes and connected each toanother for pivotal movement relative to each other about generallytransversally extending pivotal axes; said frame further having aplurality of generally axially elongated connecting elements extendingbetween and connected to said side assemblies by pivot and slideconnections and supporting said side assemblies for transverse movementtoward each other and into transversally compressed condition and awayfrom each other and to said transversally spaced apart condition; saidchair being movable from said set-up position to a first folded positionwherein said frame has a generally flat configuration and said chairback generally overlies said chair seat; said chair also being adaptedfor movement to and from said set-up position to and from a secondfolded position wherein said chair forms a bundle with all of said sidemembers and all of said connecting elements having generally commondirections of extent and said seat material and said back materialforming part of said bundle, each having a flacid condition.
 2. Two-wayfoldable chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chair moves fromsaid set-up position to said first folded position in response toforward and downward pivotal movement of said chair back into generallyoverlaying relation to said chair seat.
 3. Two-way foldable chair as setforth in claim 2, wherein said chair moves from said first foldedposition to said second folded position in response to movement of saidside assemblies to said transversally compressed condition.
 4. Two-wayfoldable chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chair may be moveddirectly from said set-up position to said second folded position bymoving said side assemblies to said generally transversally compressedcondition and thereafter moving said side assemblies to said generallyvertically compressed condition.
 5. Two-way foldable chair as set forthin claim 1, wherein said chair includes means for preventing attainmentof said second folded position by said chair.
 6. Two-way foldable chairas set forth in claim 5, wherein said chair is at all times movablebetween said set-up position and said first folded position.
 7. Two-wayfoldable chair as set forth in claim 5, wherein said means forpreventing comprises means for releasably retaining said side assembliesin said laterally spaced apart condition.
 8. Two-way foldable chair asset forth in claim 7, wherein said means for releasably retainingcomprises a manually operable latching device mounted on said chairframe.
 9. Two-way foldable chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein eachof said side assemblies includes a front leg member, a rear leg member,a seat material support member, a back materials support member, and anarm rest member.
 10. Two-way foldable chair as set forth in claim 8,wherein said latching device comprises a latch bar having a plurality ofpivotally connected parts and an operating handle.
 11. Two-way foldablechair as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of said side assembliesincludes a connecting link pivotally connected to and extending betweena plurality of said members.
 12. Two-way foldable chair as set forth inclaim 11, wherein said link is further characterized as anover-the-center link.
 13. Two-way foldable chair as set forth in claim11, wherein said plurality comprises three members.
 14. Two-way foldablechair as set forth in claim 12, wherein two of said members aresupported to pivot relative to a third one of said members.
 15. Two-wayfoldable chair as set forth in claim 11, wherein the plurality of saidmembers includes a seat support member, a back support member, and arear leg member.
 16. Two-way foldable chair comprising: an articulatedfoldable frame; a flexible chair seat material mounted on said frame;and a flexible chair back material mounted on said frame; said framebeing adapted for resting on a generally horizontally oriented surfacein a set-up position with said flexible chair seat material defining agenerally taut and horizontally disposed chair seat and said flexiblechair back material defining a generally taut and upwardly extendingchair back for accommodating a seated chair occupant; said frame havinga pair of side assemblies of the opposite hand disposed in generallyparallel transversally spaced apart relation to each other in saidset-up position, each of said side assemblies having a plurality ofgenerally rectilinear axially elongated side members, said side membersof each of said side assemblies being disposed within longitudinallyextending generally parallel vertical planes and connected each toanother for pivotal movement relative to each other about generallytransversally extending pivotal axes; said frame having a plurality ofgenerally axially elongated connecting elements extending between andconnected to said side assemblies by pivot and slide connections andsupporting said side assemblies for transverse movement toward eachother and into transversally compressed condition and away from eachother and to said transversally spaced apart condition; said chair beingmovable from said set-up position to a first folded position whereinsaid frame has a generally flat configuration and said chair backgenerally overlies said chair seat; said chair also being movable fromsaid set-up position to and from a second folded position wherein saidchair forms a bundle with all of said side members and all of saidconnecting elements having generally common directions of extent andsaid seat material and said back material forming a part of said bundle,each having a flaccid condition; said chair further being directlymovable from said set-up position to said second folded position bymoving said side assemblies to said generally transversally compressedcondition and thereafter moving said side assemblies to said generallyvertically compressed condition; said chair also having a latchingdevice mounted on said frame and including an operating handle forreleasably retaining said side assemblies in said transversally spacedapart condition and thereby preventing said chair form being moved tosaid second folded position; and said chair at all times being movablebetween said set-up position and said first foldable position.